Literature Literature CirclesCircles

Literature Circles:Literature Circles: Literature circles Literature circles

bring together bring together two ideas:two ideas:

Independent reading

Cooperative learning

What are Literature What are Literature Circles?Circles?

Literature Circles are Literature Circles are small, temporary small, temporary discussion groups of discussion groups of students who are students who are reading the same piece reading the same piece of literature.of literature.

What are Literature What are Literature Circles?Circles?

Literature circles give Literature circles give students an opportunity students an opportunity to work independently to work independently (reading and activities) (reading and activities) and cooperatively and cooperatively (discussion groups)(discussion groups)

What do students do in What do students do in literature circles?literature circles?

Read independently or with Read independently or with their grouptheir group

Participate in group discussionsParticipate in group discussionsEach group member will have a Each group member will have a

specific responsibility during specific responsibility during discussion sessionsdiscussion sessions

The circles will meet The circles will meet daily/weekly and the discussion daily/weekly and the discussion roles change at each meetingroles change at each meeting

How do Literature Circles How do Literature Circles Work?Work?

Students all read the same text (in Students all read the same text (in groups)groups)

The text genre can vary (short story, The text genre can vary (short story, novel, textbooks, brochures, internet novel, textbooks, brochures, internet documents)documents)

Texts which evoke more than one Texts which evoke more than one interpretation or connection are usually interpretation or connection are usually more successfulmore successful

Everyone is free to offer comments and Everyone is free to offer comments and questionsquestions

Distinctive Features of Distinctive Features of Literature Circles:Literature Circles:

Students choose their own reading Students choose their own reading materialsmaterials

Small temporary groups are formed based on Small temporary groups are formed based on book choicebook choice

Different groups read different booksDifferent groups read different booksGroups meet on a regular, predictable schedule Groups meet on a regular, predictable schedule

to discuss their readingto discuss their reading

Students use written or drawn notes Students use written or drawn notes to guide their reading and discussionto guide their reading and discussion

Discussion topics come from studentsDiscussion topics come from students

Distinctive Features of Distinctive Features of Literature Circles:Literature Circles:

Group meetings are open, natural Group meetings are open, natural conversations about booksconversations about books

Teacher is a facilitator, not a group member or instructor

Evaluation is by teacher observation and student self-evaluation

Readers share with their classmates when books are finished

Role of the TeacherRole of the Teacher

The teacher is a model.The teacher is a model.

The teacher helps students to The teacher helps students to participate in conversations.participate in conversations.

The teacher helps move the The teacher helps move the conversation forward.conversation forward.

Possible Discussion Possible Discussion Roles:Roles:

SummarizerSummarizerDiscussion DirectorDiscussion DirectorPassage MasterPassage MasterWord WizardWord WizardConnectorConnectorIllustratorIllustrator

SUMMARIZER:SUMMARIZER:Prepares a brief summary of Prepares a brief summary of

“today’s reading” “today’s reading” which which conveys the main highlights conveys the main highlights

or the key points in the or the key points in the pages read.pages read.

DISCUSSION DISCUSSION DIRECTOR:DIRECTOR:

Directs the discussionDirects the discussionHelps people talk over the Helps people talk over the

big ideas in the reading big ideas in the reading and share their reactions and share their reactions (could be thoughts, feelings (could be thoughts, feelings and concerns which arise)and concerns which arise)

Writes questions that will Writes questions that will lead to discussion by the lead to discussion by the groupgroup (Questions must be higher level (Questions must be higher level

thinking questions!)thinking questions!)

PASSAGE MASTER:PASSAGE MASTER:Points out interesting or Points out interesting or

important passages important passages within the reading—could within the reading—could be interesting, powerful, be interesting, powerful,

funny, puzzling or funny, puzzling or importantimportant

WORD WIZARD:WORD WIZARD:On the lookout for On the lookout for

words in the text words in the text that are unusual, that are unusual, interesting, or interesting, or difficult to difficult to understandunderstand

Defines and Defines and discusses these discusses these words with the groupwords with the group

CONNECTOR:CONNECTOR:Finds connections between the Finds connections between the

reading material and the outside reading material and the outside world—such as personal world—such as personal

experience, school, community, a experience, school, community, a topic studied in another class, or a topic studied in another class, or a

different work of literaturedifferent work of literature

ILLUSTRATOR:ILLUSTRATOR:Draw some kind Draw some kind

of picture of picture related to the related to the reading—could reading—could

be a sketch, be a sketch, cartoon, cartoon,

diagram, flow-diagram, flow-chart, or stick-chart, or stick-figure scene.figure scene.

What are higher level What are higher level thinking questions?thinking questions?

Questions that cannot be Questions that cannot be answered with just yes or noanswered with just yes or no

Requires thought by each Requires thought by each member of the groupmember of the group

Goes beyond the “W” Goes beyond the “W” questionsquestions

Good Discussion Good Discussion StartersStarters

How did you feel about…How did you feel about…

What would you have What would you have done if…done if…

How are you like or unlike How are you like or unlike the main character?the main character?

Good Discussion Good Discussion StartersStarters

What would you have done What would you have done differently than the main differently than the main character?character?

What did you think about…What did you think about…Which character do you best Which character do you best

relate to and why?relate to and why?

What should students do in What should students do in the discussion groups?the discussion groups?

STUDENTS SHOULD:STUDENTS SHOULD:Actively participateActively participateExplain their role to the group, ask Explain their role to the group, ask

group members questions, and group members questions, and answer questions from each group answer questions from each group membermember

Ask for clarification on any material Ask for clarification on any material that may have been confusingthat may have been confusing

How will class time be How will class time be used?used?

On literature circle day, the first 15-20 On literature circle day, the first 15-20 minutes will be spent in discussion groups minutes will be spent in discussion groups to give the students the opportunity to to give the students the opportunity to share their job responsibilities with the share their job responsibilities with the group from the previous day’s reading.group from the previous day’s reading.

New jobs and reading assignments will be New jobs and reading assignments will be assigned for the next class meetingassigned for the next class meeting

Reading the text individually or as a groupReading the text individually or as a groupWorking on activities dealing with the textWorking on activities dealing with the text

Lit Circle Weekly Lit Circle Weekly ScheduleSchedule

*Group Reviews Roles*Select Role Lit Circle Roles for Week*Complete assigned reading (group, independently)*Complete assigned role activity

*Report out role info*Complete assigned role activity*Finish role activity

*Teacher facilitates as needed*Teacher uses checklist to monitor progress & expected behavior

How much time should How much time should be allowed for each be allowed for each

book?book?

It should take It should take about 3-4 weeks about 3-4 weeks for each book to for each book to

be readbe read

To achieve these To achieve these outcomes, the students outcomes, the students

will:will: Choose a bookChoose a book

Play a role in Play a role in discussions of the bookdiscussions of the book

Keep a group folder to Keep a group folder to organize role organize role assignments. assignments.

Each group will present Each group will present a end product. (digital a end product. (digital story, poster, book story, poster, book talk, picture book…)talk, picture book…)

How will students be How will students be graded?graded?

Students will be graded on:Students will be graded on:Daily job completionDaily job completionGroup discussionsGroup discussionsFinal project/presentationFinal project/presentationSelf evaluateSelf evaluate

It is important for students It is important for students to:to:

Participate!!Participate!!Keep up with their reading Keep up with their reading

assignmentsassignmentsKeep up with their role in the Keep up with their role in the

groupgroupRespect others and their opinionsRespect others and their opinionsTreat group members in a positive Treat group members in a positive

way—the way they want to be way—the way they want to be treatedtreated